Helicopter



F. B. MANY Nov. .5, 1929.

HELICOPTER Filed Nov. 23, 1925 Patented Nov. 5, 1929 I 'UNITED s'r o FrcE FRANK B. MANY, OF CLEVELAND, OI-IIO HELICOPTER Application filed November 23, 1925. Serial No. 70,957.

The objects of the invention are to provide out the shaft of the helicopter propeller from a helicopter attachment for a heavier than the starting motor when the desired altitude air airship,by means of which the ascent and has been attained and connecting the same descent of the ship can be confined to the operativcly with the shaft of the engine of landing position and the long glide of the the main propeller, to crank the same and 55 ship heretofore required to permit of a gradthereafter for cutting out the starting motor ual descent, and the great length of suitable altogether, to enable the gasoline motor to landing field therefor may be avoided, and propel the airship. it will be possible to descend upon a platform It also includes means, when the airship is of limited area, as upon the roof of abu'ilding about to descend, for stopping the main pro- 50 and to ascend therefrom without danger of polling engine and for connecting the startolli io ith oth r building ing engine with the helicopter shaft until a To accomplish this result the helicopter is suitable landing has been made. provided with a separate motor so that it may It also includes mechanism for connecting be operated at any time independently of the gasoline engine with the motor generator 65 the motor or explosion engine which drive in such a manner, that the motor generator the main propeller. will operate to recharge the storage batteries Also this separate motor is employed as while the airship is in flight, and thus place a starter for the main motor, and is also the battery in condition to operate the heliwound to be reversed and used as a motor copter, so that a suitable landing can be 70 generator, and is connected with a storage made. It includes driving shafts for the battery in the fuselage of the air ship, and gasoline engine and the motor generator and it may be alternately connected with the for'the main propeller and helicopter, and helicopter, or with the main motor to funcgeared connections between said motor gention, either as a, temporary motor to drive orator and said main and helicopter shafts 75 the helicopter, or as a starter for the main and clutch mechanism therefor permitting of motor, since the period of operation of the alternate connection therewith and disconhelicopter will be limited to ascending and Motion therefrom. descending, and the time allowed for startin The invention further includes the combithe main motor need not be further prolonged nation of parts hereinafter described, illusso but may be controllable at will by the optrated in the accompanying drawings and erator, specifically pointed out in the claims.

Also as a generator it may be employed In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a to recharge the batteries while the gasoline side elevation of the device; Fig. 2 is an enmotor is in use. Itis essential that a helicoplarged longitudinal section thereof; Fig. 3 85 ter propeller should have a separately open is a plan thereof showing the arrangement of able operating device to permit it to be used tch mechanism. independently of the main motor propeller, In these views A represents the body or and by means of a suitable organization and fuselage; B represents the main propeller; C

40 adaptation of a connecting or clutch mccbarepresents the driving shaft therefor;D is the 90 nism, the same motor can be employed as a' gasoline cngine;Ethe clutch operatively constarting device for the gasoline motor that nectingthe engine shaft D with the main drives the main propeller. propeller shaft; F is the helicopter propeller The invention further includesa controller having horizontally disposed wings and for the rate of speed of operation of the mounted upon a vertical shaft G; H is the 95 motor generator, permitting it to start at motor generator, the shaft of which, I, is opa low rate of speed and thereafter to build eratively connected with the shaft of the heliup its speed to any amount of velocity re- Copter bv means of chain gearing J and a uired. clutch K: This motor generator is also con- It includes clutch mechanism for cutting nected operativcly with the shaft D of the 0 gasoline engine by means of gearing L and the clutch K.

By means of the gearing specified and the clutch connections enumerated, the motor generator may be connected, first, with the helicopter to enable the air ship to rise, and subsequently, when an ascent has been made to a suitable height to enable the airship to glide or proceed without danger of collision with buildings or trees, or other elevations, they enable the motor generator to be disconnected from the helicopter and operatively connected with the main gasoline engine and to serve as a starter therefor until ignition takes place and the engine can operate efficiently.

This elevation should be sufficient to permit the air ship to glide fora short distance if the starter is operated for some time before ignition takes place, and the engine is successfully operating.

The motor generator may be constructed in accordance with the well known construction of the electric starter for automobiles of which there are several types and will not require further description in connection with this air ship, and when it is operated as a generator will serve to recharge the storage battery P and place it in condition to operate the same device as a motor for the helicopter, or as a starter for the main gasoline engine. The helicopter propeller is normally sunk in a recess in the upper plane and can be raised for use or lowered so as not to interfere with the streamlines 'of the plane by means of a lever G operating upon an extension shaft G through a slot G in a vertical sleeve G.

Having described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 40.

Patent is:

1. In an air ship a main propeller and gasoline engine therefor, and a helicopter propeller and a motor generator therefor, said I motor being operatively connectible with the shafts of'both of said propellers and serving alternately-as a starter for said gasoline engine and as a direct motor for said helicopter,

other, and means for alternately connecting said electric motor with said shafts.

4. In an air ship, a main propeller and a gasoline engine therefor, and a helicopter propeller, a motor-generator, and abattery electrically connected therewith, and clutch mechanism for alternately connecting said motor generator with the shafts of said gasoline motor to serve as a starter therefor, and with the shaft of said helicopter propeller as a direct motor therefor,said generatormotor serv ing also as a generator when connected with the shaft of said gasoline engine to charge said battery. and clutch mechanism for alternately connecting said motor generator with the shafts of said engine and helicopter pro peller.

In. testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand this 25th-day of September, 1925.

FRANK B. MANY.

2. In an air ship, a main propeller and 'gasoline engine therefor,- and a helicopter propeller, a motor-generator, and a battery electrically connected therewith, and clutch mechanism for alternately connecting said .-motor generator with the shafts of said gasoline motor to serve as a starter therefor and vwith the shaft of said helicopter propeller as a direct motor therefor, said generator mofor serving also as a generator when connected with the shaft of said gasoline englne to char e said battery.

ing operatively connectible with the shafts of both of said propellers to serve alternately as'a starter for one and a direct motor forthc 

